Sonoma County’s own local girl, Faith Thompson Ako, once again brings authentic island style to the Wine Country’s fourth, annual ‘ukulele festival. Known throughout the greater Bay Area (indeed the entire West Coast) and her native Oahu for her lovely renditions of both traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, Faith has also opened for many of Hawai’i’s leading entertainers, including the Cazimero Brothers, Willy K. and Amy H. Gilliom, HAPA, Makaha Sons, Cyril Pahinui, the Reverend Dennis Kamakahi, Uncle Ledward Kaapana, George Kahuamoku Jr., and NaPalaPalai. In 2007, her first CD, “Kū Kahi,” won in both the “New Artist of the Year” and “Traditional Hawaiian Music” categories at the Hawaii Music Awards. It was also nominated for a Nā Hākū Hanohano award. Her second CD, “Papakū, Bring it Home,” won second place for Traditional Hawaiian Album in 2009 made it to the top twenty for a Grammy in 2010. Faith is a beloved local treasure, to be sure, adored by the Hawaiian community and an ever-growing number of fans. She joins us again this year as both a performer and instructor, bringing respect, talent, and grace to the stage and to the classroom.
Workshops
Singing with Faith
Through the lyrics and melodies of a few, beloved, traditional mele, our local songbird, Faith Ako, will help you understand the ear, passion, and mana’o of Hawaiian music in its purest and simplest form, starting with the correct pronunciation (and meaning) of the words! ‘Ukuleles are welcome, but not required, in this particular workshop that is more about singing and understanding, than about playing. (All Levels)
Kani Ka Pila with Faith Ako
Aloha ka kou, e komo mai! Take a break from a busy day and let Faith Ako lead you through a number of her favorite contemporary Hawaiian songs. Not only will you have chance to play and sing with this two-time Hawai’i Music Awards winner, you will also learn some basic Hawaiian strums and how to coordinate your strumming with the specific tunes to create an authentic, Hawaiian sound. Believe me, you will never sound as good as you will playing and singing with Faith. (Levels 1 – 4)
